The Giving Pledge Signs On 12 More Wealthy Americans Including Tesla's Elon Musk And Home Depot's Arthur Blank

Twelve more of America’s wealthiest individuals and families have signed onto the Giving Pledge, bringing the total number of signatories to 81. Among the most notable are Home Depot co-founder Arthur Blank, Tesla's Elon Musk, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Michael Moritz and Manhattan hedge fund mogul Bill Ackman. “The gap between rich and poor in America is growing,” said Blank, “Philanthropy alone cannot repair all of the social injustice in our country or the world. It can, however, inspire good will, spark innovation and provide thought leadership.”

Another notable newcomer is hedge fund billionaire Glenn Dubin and his wife, Eva, a former Miss Sweden who is also an MD. Together the couple recently established the Dubin Breast Center at the Mount Sinai Medical Center, a state-of-the-art, comprehensive breast cancer treatment center. Dubin also serves on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, an organization committed to fighting poverty in New York City.

Steve Bing, who also signed on and is apparently a top donor to environmental causes, is perhaps best known for his former relationships including one with actress Elizabeth Hurley, who filed a paternity suit against him.

The Giving Pledge was initiated by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, the world’s two most generous individuals as measured by the sums both have given away to date, in June 2010. The pledge’s goal is to inspire discussions about philanthropy and increase overall giving in the U.S. The people who take the pledge make a “moral commitment to give, not a legal contract,” the majority of their fortunes during the lifetimes or upon their deaths. The last time new names were added was nearly a year ago on April 28, 2011.

“It’s terrific to be adding these 12 families to the Giving Pledge,” Buffett said of the recent signatories, “They come from different backgrounds, but share a common desire to see positive change in our world."

The 81 pledgers, who come from 22 states and the District of Columbia, range in age from 27 to 96. Well more than half of them are members of the Forbes 400 list of Richest Americans, including the world's two youngest billionaires, Facebook co-founders and friends Dustin Moskovitz and Mark Zuckerberg. Also among the 81 is the late Teddy Forstmann, who died in late 2011 of brain cancer.

The full list of the 12 newest families to sign onto the pledge is below: